New Jersey Man Sentenced in Girlfriend’s Death, Body Found in Refrigerator

BELLEPLAIN STATE FOREST, NJ – A New Jersey man, Christopher Blevins, 46, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for the death of his girlfriend, 50-year-old Laura Hughes. The case, marked by a nationwide manhunt and a grim discovery in a state forest, concluded Friday with Blevins’ sentencing after he pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter.

Hughes, a mother of two from Runnemede, New Jersey, was remembered by family as a caring parent. Investigators identified her remains through unique tattoos – a koi fish on her shoulder blade and a rose on her ribs – along with personal items found with her.

A Troubled Relationship and a Brutal Act

The couple’s relationship was reportedly strained, with a history of domestic disputes and substance abuse issues, according to prosecutors. Blevins initially faced a first-degree murder charge, but it was reduced as part of a plea agreement. He admitted to strangling Hughes, expressing regret in court and stating he wished he had simply left instead of allowing the situation to escalate.

Discovery in the Forest

Hughes’ body was found on December 22, 2024, by a hiker in Belleplain State Forest in Cape May County. Blevins had placed her body inside a refrigerator, transported it in the bed of his green Dodge Ram pickup truck, and attempted to conceal it by wrapping it in a sleeping bag and securing it with straps and a carpet.

Flight to Mexico and Arrest

Following the murder on July 24, 2024, Blevins fled to Mexico, triggering a multi-week manhunt. He eventually surrendered to authorities in Mexico City on August 27, telling local police he “might have killed someone in a bar fight.” He was later arrested in San Diego upon his return to the United States and extradited back to New Jersey.

Sentence and Family Impact

Blevins will serve 85 percent of his 17-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole, in accordance with New Jersey’s No Early Release Act. The family described the loss as a heartbreaking tragedy, with Hughes’ teenage daughter considered a “secondary victim” due to the trauma experienced.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help with Hughes’ cremation, a memorial tree, and educational expenses for her daughters.

Source: NBC10 Philadelphia, Law and Crime